Gran
Paradiso trek & summit 2024
Trek and climb the
highest peak 4061m completely in Italy
Course
overview
This
is a classic route and is a great mix of challenging
trekking and easy Alpine climbing to reach
the highest point completely in Italy. The
holiday is over seven days, with five days
trekking and climbing.
The
vast majority of the trek is in the Gran Paradiso
National Park, and so the area is unspoilt
by cable cars or development. All the nights
on the trek and climb, you stay in Italian mountain refuges,
and can indulge in great mountain food. You
stay in huts on a half board basis (included)
for four nights during the week.
The
trekking in the region is remote and unforgiving,
so you need to have a good level of trekking
fitness. For the ascent of Gran Paradiso no
previous climbing experience is required,
as you can be taught any skills on the mountain.
We provide the safety equipment, specifically
crampons, helmet, axe and harness for free.
You
can look on this week as tough trekking or
easy climbing, and it will appeal to those
who enjoy remote areas, but love staying in
mountain huts, and there is a real sense of
challenge with the prospect of what is probably
your first Alpine 4000m peak at the end of
the week. For those who do not want a 'climbing'
course, yet want to experience remote and
easy Alpine summits, this is the holiday for
you. If you are looking at more of a 'climbing'
course, consider the Alpine Intro 4000m Course,
and for details click
here.
Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice.
Daily
Course Itinerary
Sun
Travel
to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in
followed by and course safety and itinerary
briefings. There is time for kit checks or
rental of equipment. Briefings are over by
19:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the
group
to pre-dinner drinks to answer any queries.
Night in Chamonix.
Mon
Today
you travel through the Mont Blanc road tunnel
into Italy, and after passing Courmayeur,
to turn up the Valgrisanche. At its head you
trek up to the Mario Bezzi refuge, then in
the afternoon a popular option is to visit
the Lago di Vuert. Another option is to head to Valsavaranches, and to head from Eaux Rousses or Pont up to one of the refugios above the valley, such as Vittorio Sella. Typically the walking
time on the first day is c. 5 hours. Night in mountain hut.
Tue
The
objective for the day is to reach the Benevolo
refuge, and this involves crossing either
Col Bassac Dere 3082m or Col Bassac 3155m.
If you have energy you can take in the summit
of Becca della Traversiere 3334m
or Punta Basei 3388m. On a alternative itinerary, you might take in a summit to the North of the Gran Paradiso massif, above the Valnontey and Cogne valleys. There is a huge range of options to select from. Walking time: 6 - 7
hours. Night in mountain hut.
Wed
Today
there is a choice of routes, such as the remote
Col Rosset 3023m, or the ascent of the Punta
di Leynir 3240m, before crossing back to the
Valgrisanche via a quieter route to the north.
Alternatively you might continue to cross Colle Rosset, to descend to Pont via Croce dell'Arolley, again with the possibility of taking in a trekking peak on the way. Walking time: 6 - 7 hours.
Night in Valsavaranches or on Gran Paradiso in Chabod / Vittorio Emanuele II rifugios.
Thu
Today
is deliberately flexible dependant on where you stayed the previous night. As you crossed the valley at Pont, you'd have collected the glacier equipment (crampons, harness, ice axe), and so if high already you might head for one of the satellite peaks of Gran Paradiso, such as Tresenta. This ascent will involve crossing some dry (non snow covered) glaciers, and some roped scrambling near the summit, to help you prepare for the next day.
Walking time: c. 6-7 hours. Night in mountain
hut.
Fri
A
very early start to cross the boulder field
behind the hut, to reach the glacier, then
it's crampons and harnesses on for the ascent
of the highest point completely in Italy.
On the glacier you are roped up for safety,
and it is a long but gradual ascent to Col
Montcorve, then steeper to reach the summit
ridge. Here it is a short and easy but exposed
scramble to reach the summit at 4061m. After
the summit celebrations you descend to Pont
and return to Chamonix. Walking time: 9 -
10 hours. Night in Chamonix.
Sat
The
morning is free for you to spend as you wish.
Most people opt to explore the Chamonix market
for local produce and presents. The accommodation
check out is by 10:00.
N.B.
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions
dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to
alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable
alternatives are offered. Please use this
outline itinerary as a guide to the types
of route / activity that you will attempt.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
5
full days of guiding, 1:3 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday
£1199
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Guide for five days, 2) Chamonix course
hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Self-catered accommodation
or hotel in Chamonix (inc. beddings & towels), 4) Up to four
nights half board in mountain huts (inc. costs for guides),
5) Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment discount
voucher for UK shops, 7) Free 36 page technical Course
Instruction Booklet, 8) Road transport in Chamonix valley,
including travel to / from Gran Paradiso region, 9) Evening
technical instruction when in Chamonix.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals
in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels
/ restaurants, 4) Cable cars and mountain uplift (not
normally required), 5) Activities insurance, & excess
baggage charges.
Group
sizes: 2 - 3 people per group. Two people booking together guarantees any date. For this season we have improved the guiding ratio to adapt to climate change, and to improve the safety on the glaciers.
Notes:
If
you require the loan of any specified free safety kit
(crampons, helmet, axe and harness), this must be reserved
at least 2 weeks before the course. Extra rental items
e.g. B3 boots must be paid for.
Course
upgrade options
Many clients on this
trip consider upgrading with one or more of
the following course additions...
Private
room
Big
5 Alpine
extensions
Technical
kit rental
Acclimatise
weekend
Upgrade
to single from
£300-£500 in addition to
standard course price,
depending on week.
Extend by 2 days after
to ascend one of the
Big 5 Alpine peaks as
an extra summit.
Rent all technical kit
for a week. Full Alpine
Bundle costs you just
£100 for the week.
Saturday
night spent in
Chamonix, with choice
of self-guided or guided
on Sunday. From £70.
Standard
course accommodation - normally clients are based
in self-catered flats (details),
so take a look, and decide if it's for you. For
more luxury, contact us for quotes in higher standard
apartments, or hotels of any standard required.
If you have / source your own course accommodation,
or we cannot provide an upgrade, the standard course
price has a £100pp reduction applied on your
invoice.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Gran Paradiso Trek
No Dates Available
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are three who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
Combine
this with Mt Blanc... Some
people use this week as an alternatve
first week to our popular 2 week Mont
Blanc Achievements
course, as this trip has more nights
in huts, to help you acclimatise.
Client
feedback
Thank
you so much for this holiday, and please
pass on my thanks to the guides who
made it happen. They were really professional
and knowledgable Hugh
C , Gran Paradiso Trek
My
partner and I couldn't agree before
if we should book on a trekking or a
climbing trip, so this was perfect for
us with a really nice balance of the
two Delia
T , Gran Paradiso Trek
As
you know, I was elated to reach the
top of Gran Paradiso, and it was the
highlight (not to mention high point)
of my whole year. Thank you Tamsin
C , Gran Paradiso Trek
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Location
data for this trip
The
trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a
90 minute transfer from Geneva airport.
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
Local
Currency
€ Euros
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
Course
notes
Great
guiding ratios where we guarantee a maximum group
size of six people on each day of the holiday.
The highest quality and qualifications possible
for leaders. See the section below for full details
of this.
Three nights half board in mountain huts in the
remote and unspoilt Gran Paradiso National Park.
Itinerary flexibility to enable you to take in several
peaks during the week.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
Any
further questions?
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. Many people opt for this service,
and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are
keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and
that you select a course that is suitable for you. It
makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if
you are on the right trip.
